A LEADING industry figure has called on business people not to miss the chance to quiz local politicians ahead of next month’s general election.

The Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce is organising five events with the parliamentary candidates over the next week designed to allow businesses to raise vital issues.

And bosses are being told that they will have no right to ‘grumble’ about ‘out of touch’ politicians if they don’t attend one of the sessions.

The three major parties have agreed to field their candidates at the events and Doug Squires, president of the Chamber, is urging businesses to have their voice heard.

He said: “This is widely being touted as the most important election in the last 25 years because of the state of the economy and we must make sure that the voice of business is heard loud and clear.

“The Chamber does that on a collective basis every day, but this really is an opportunity for individual businesses to raise points with the future MPs of the region and to ask any questions which they deem important.

“Politicians are often accused of being out of touch and not understanding the needs and concerns of business. Well, to be frank, people cannot grumble about that if they do not take this opportunity to speak directly to them.

“The Chamber is providing the stage for the politicians and the access for members – now it is up to businesses to take advantage of it.”

Mr Squires added that business issues would feature more in this election than any other of recent decades.

“The banking crisis and the subsequent recession have meant that business issues are at the forefront of the political agenda and are likely to remain there some time to come,” he said.

“Politicians of every party should be very much aware of how private sector industry holds the key to recovery.

“A great number have made noises to that effect, but we need to reinforce that message and ensure that they understand exactly what faces commerce in this region.

“Certainly they should be more receptive than ever and I hope these events will prove extremely worthwhile.”

The pre-election events start on Thursday with candidates for Warwick and Leamington set to face local businesses. It will take place at 8am at Warwick Racecourse.

That evening, a second question time will be staged in Rugby at The Merchants Inn – starting at 5pm. This will be followed by an event in Stratford on April 20, at the Welcombe Hotel at 8am.

On April 21, Coventry candidates Geoffrey Robinson, Kevin Foster and Vincent McKee will be quizzed at the Chamber, at 5pm.

The final event being held in Nuneaton on April 22 – starting at 5pm – at Nuneaton Town Football Club, with Jane Innes, Marcus Jones and Christina Jebb.